| Revision as of 23:23, 9 September 2005 edit2005 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers25,389 edits rv← Previous edit | Revision as of 05:00, 26 October 2005 edit undoJhortman (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,385 edits Removed sex offender remark from introduction. No matter if we like it or not, pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault does not make him a convicted sex offender. Also added child molester remark.Next edit → | ||
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| '''Thomas Austin "Amarillo Slim" Preston, Jr.''' (born ], ] in ], ]) is a professional ] player |
'''Thomas Austin "Amarillo Slim" Preston, Jr.''' (born ], ] in ], ]) is a famous professional ] player. | ||
| == Professional Poker Player == | == Professional Poker Player == | ||
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| In ], Preston published his autobiography ''Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People'', where he reveals tales of playing poker with ], ], and ], amongst others. He reportedly made an ] remark on a radio station that hurt a movie deal tied into his book. | In ], Preston published his autobiography ''Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People'', where he reveals tales of playing poker with ], ], and ], amongst others. He reportedly made an ] remark on a radio station that hurt a movie deal tied into his book. | ||
| In ] Preston was indicted on three charges of indecency with a 12-year-old child ( |
In ] Preston was indicted on three charges of indecency with a 12-year-old child (against his granddaughter). The charges were reduced to misdemeanor assault in a ] and on ], ] he pleaded guilty to the reduced charges, receiving a $4,000 fine and two years deferred adjudication. Many poker commentators have remarked about how tragic it is that arguably one of the greatest, and certainly most well-known, poker players of the past will be remembered primarily for being a ]. | ||
| Preston is married, has three children, and currently resides in ], ]. | Preston is married, has three children, and currently resides in ], ]. | ||
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| {{World Series of Poker Winners}} | {{World Series of Poker Winners}} | ||
Revision as of 05:00, 26 October 2005
Thomas Austin "Amarillo Slim" Preston, Jr. (born December 31, 1928 in Johnson, Arkansas) is a famous professional poker player.
Professional Poker Player
Before becoming a well known face and tournament poker player, Preston was a rounder and toured the country looking for gambling action along with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Moss.
Preston won the 1972 World Series of Poker main event. Following his victory he went on several talk shows, and even had a bit part in the movie California Split, making him moderately famous outside the poker world as well as in. He has appeared on The Tonight Show over 10 times, Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, The Tomorrow Show, Panorama, Georgia Today, and A. M. Los Angeles.
As of 2004 Preston has a total of 4 WSOP bracelets, and has won over $500,000 in tournament play. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992.
Tales of a legend
Preston was the best friend of casino owner Benny Binion. On Preston's publicity run after his 1972 win he convinced Tom Snyder, host of The Tomorrow Show that came on right after The Tonight Show, to allow Preston, Binion, and Joe Bernstein to have the entire show. Binion didn't care to be in the public spotlight, but Preston convinced him to do it. When Binion died in 1989, he left his horse to Preston.
Preston is often quoted as saying that if a woman ever won the WSOP, he'd slit his throat, but the true story is quite different. During some of the early WSOP events an unpopular woman player got an early chip lead and declared that she was going to be the winner in front of the media. When she asked Preston what he thought of it, he told her that if she won he would slit his throat. She ultimately did not win.
Preston has also helped establish gaming facilities around the world. While he was helping open the Casino de Caribe in Colombia he was kidnapped by people working for Pablo Escobar but was eventually released.
Recent events
In May 2003, Preston published his autobiography Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People, where he reveals tales of playing poker with Larry Flynt, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon, amongst others. He reportedly made an anti-semitic remark on a radio station that hurt a movie deal tied into his book.
In August 2003 Preston was indicted on three charges of indecency with a 12-year-old child (against his granddaughter). The charges were reduced to misdemeanor assault in a plea bargain and on February 10, 2004 he pleaded guilty to the reduced charges, receiving a $4,000 fine and two years deferred adjudication. Many poker commentators have remarked about how tragic it is that arguably one of the greatest, and certainly most well-known, poker players of the past will be remembered primarily for being a child molester.
Preston is married, has three children, and currently resides in Amarillo, Texas.
External link
| World Series of Poker – Main Event champions | |
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